June 12 - After all the excitement surrounding the Belmont Stakes last weekend, this Saturday an exciting race looms in the form of the Stephen Foster Handicap which will take place at Churchill Downs racecourse in Kentucky, with top contender, Curlin, expected to deliver a victory.

American horseracing fans will want to forget the debacle surrounding Big Brown's shocking performance in the Belmont Stakes and focus instead on the No. 1 to be worn by the strong Steve Asmussen-trained colt, Curlin. If this 4-year-old lives up to is recent form, he should cross the line first.

Favored heavily to win the auspicious $1 million purse race come Saturday, Curlin received high praise after his convincing win on March 29th, when he galloped ahead of the field to snatch the lucrative $6 million Dubai World Cup. In his illustrious career, the colt has earned almost $9 million.

Said Asmussen, 'We are confident that Curlin will show everyone at Churchill Downs that he's the same horse they've known all along. He needs to run, and I believe that he's as ready as he could be. All he needs to do is go into the Stephen Foster Handicap and show us what he's made of.'

Respected jockey, Robby Albarado, has been charged with riding Curlin on the day and will set off from the rail slot in the 10-horse,1 1/8-mile race, that drew a total of 27 entries. Being on the lighter side, Curlin will carry an extra 10 to 15 pounds bringing him to a high weight of 128 pounds.

The impressive $1 million purse is a first for the Stephen Foster Handicap and comprises the original $750,000 purse with an extra $250,000 thrown in if a Grade 1 winner starts, of which there are three entered into the race, Brass Hat, Einstein and, of course, the much-favored, Curlin.

The final Stephen Foster Handicap lineup includes Curlin (128 pounds), Delightful Kiss (114), Sam P. (113), Einstein (118), Grasshopper (117), High Blues (113), Red Rock Creek (113), Jonesboro (114), Barcola (113), and Brass Hat (116). Einstein should run a big race, although he cannot compete with the favorite if he is on form. Our pick for the race is the Curlin - Einstein Exacta.